Depending on whether you believe in principle or the art of the possible, the United Natio

ns' new proposal for the future of Western Sahara is either a betrayal or a dogged【21】at a settlement. It suggests that for the next four years Western Sahara should be a part of Morocco【22】will【23】the Moroccan flag and【24】the Moroccan constitution, but at the same time it will be" autonomous". After four years there may-but only may-be a referendum to decide whether it stays Moroccan or becomes a separate state.

Morocco invaded this comer of north-west Africa in 1975 when the old colonial power, Spain, was preparing to【25】out. The International Court of Justice ruled the Moroccan occupation【26】, and a nasty little war ensued between Morocco and an independence movement, the Polisario Front. They signed a【27】in 1991 ,and agreed to a vote on the future of the territory,【28】by the UN.

Instead of grinding【29】an appeals procedure, or declaring Morocco to be in【30】, the UN now appears to have decided to abandon the whole exercise. The result may be virtually to hand the country【31】to Morocco.

The new plan, drawn up by James Baker, a former American secretary of state,【32】that the agreed list of voters should elect an executive that will.【33】the country's internal affairs for the next four years.

【34】,this executive will be responsible to an assembly elected by all adults now living in the territory, most of【35】are pro--Moroccan. After four years the assembly will appoint a new executive. Morocco will also appoint the judges and be responsible for law and order during the transition.

(21)

A．attempt

B．effort

C．try

D．endeavor